he says he uses medical marijuana occasionally. and he believes unionizing workers who manufacture the medicinal pot he needs for pain, is a way to protect workers. >> i'm really surprised that we had to fight this long, when we have industries like the tobacco industry really taking advantage of people, the economy. >> reporter: an economy that is looking for something to pull it out of the recession. margin investments, located in oakland, provides medical marijuana used by patients suffering from cancer, hiv and other life-threatening illnesses. the move to unionize its workers is a way to grow the industry. >> about 12 years ago, the medical marijuana proposition passed. and this is just an extension. people are getting used to it. >> reporter: under the union contract, margin will pay for the workers' health care costs. >> manufacturing and any industry has safety hazards and some need to have protections. you know, this is labor day. and this is oakland. >> reporter: and oakland is leading the way in the medical marijuana ind